The Ferrari driver stormed to pole at Paul Ricard on Saturday after taking profit of a strategy to use team-mate Carlos Sainz as a tow along the back straight in Q3.
With Sainz starting at the back of the grid due to a change in power unit components, Ferrari pre-weekend planned for him to get through to Q3 to help Leclerc in his battle for pole against Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
Though Ferrari got the tactic wrong on its first Q3 run, it nailed it next time around for Leclerc to take pole.
Verstappen, who is hopeful Red Bull’s straightline advantage can help it battle Leclerc for victory on Sunday, will start from second with team-mate Sergio Perez third.
Lewis Hamilton will start fourth, but admits Mercedes’ current form means a first win of 2022 is still a long way off. Lando Norris split the Mercedes duo in fifth, with George Russell sixth.
The top 10 was completed by Fernando Alonso, Yuki Tsunoda, Daniel Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon – the latter two promoted by the back-of-the-grid starts for Sainz and Kevin Magnussen, who were ninth and 10th having set no times in Q3.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari F1-75
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
When is the F1 French Grand Prix?
- Date: Sunday 24th July 2022
- Start time: 2:00pm BST, 3:00pm local time
The 12th round of the 2022 F1 season, the French GP at Circuit Paul Ricard, gets underway at 3:00pm local time (2:00pm BST) on Sunday 24th July.
How can I watch Formula 1?
In the United Kingdom Formula 1 is broadcast live on Sky Sports, with highlights shown on Channel 4 several hours after the race has finished. Live streaming through NOW is also available in the UK.
Sky Sports F1, which broadcasts the F1 races, can be added as part of the Sky Sports channels which costs £20 a month for new customers. Sky Sports can also be accessed through NOW with a one-off day payment of £11.98p or a month membership of £33.99p per month.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB18
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
How can I watch the F1 French GP?
In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports will be live broadcasting the French GP, with the race shown live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event. Pre-race coverage will be starting on Sky Sports F1 at 12:30pm and Sky Sports Main Event at 1:55pm BST ahead of the race start at 2:00pm BST.
- Channels: Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event
- Start time: 12:30pm BST and 1:55pm BST, Sunday 24th July 2022
Autosport will be running a live text coverage of the French GP here.
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